Page 287 of Ruins
Angelo rushes in, his sharp gaze flicking to Vasilisa’s blood-soaked clothes. His brows lift—
But I shake my head.
“There were about twenty of them,” Angelo says, voice clipped. “Most were injured or killed at the gate. Romeo took out nine before he got shot.”
Vasilisa gasps in my arms, her head jerking up.
“Romeo is—”
“No,” Angelo cuts in quickly. “Vaska’s taking him to the hospital, but he’s okay.”
He shifts his gaze to the two dead men on the floor.
“You did this, Tiny?”
A small, shattered whisper. “Yeah.” She buries her face against me again.
Angelo smirks. “Nice job, Piccola.”
I feel her body shudder at his words.
My grip on her tightens.
“Any alive?” I ask.
“One,” Angelo responds. “Nico’s bringing him to the warehouse. He can marinate for a few days.”
Vasilisa pulls away from me, her eyes frantic. “It’s over?” Her gaze locks onto mine, searching for reassurance, for something I can’t give her.
Before I can answer, Angelo speaks the truth. “No. Sarkisian wasn’t here, just his men which means he will send more.”
Vasilisa sobs, the sound breaking apart in her throat. Her breaths ragged, her voice shaking. “For me?” she whispers.
Her fear slices through me.
“No,” I tell her, voice unshakable. “No one will come for you, because I’m never leaving you alone. Ever again.”
Angelo gives me a look. A silent disapproval. A knowing gaze that tells me I just fed her a half-truth. Because she may still be a target. Until we end this, until we take down Arsen Sarkisian, this isn’t over.
But I refuse to let her live in fear. I refuse to let her spend a single moment without me by her side. She trembles, her eyes fluttering, her body giving out as the adrenaline vanishes from her bloodstream.
Her legs go limp as she faints in my arms. I adjust her, cradling her against me. “I won’t let her live in fear,” I say firmly.
Angelo nods. But he won’t meet my eyes.
“What is it?” I press.
“Nothing.” A small shrug. “We just need to find this piece of shit and end this once and for all.”
He turns, leaving the basement, and I follow.
I don’t buy it.
“That’s not just it,” I say as we step through the ruins of my destroyed estate. “I get that you’re the Don, that Maksim is the Pahkan. You have to keep things close to the vest. But I’m yourbrother. Eventually, I’ll find out.”
Angelo just nods, his silence weighing heavy.
Luca emerges from the broken shards of my front door, his sharp gaze immediately falling on Vasilisa in my arms.
